Fifth wheel and trailer connection



July 2, 1935. Y Q E DQRSEY, JR 2,007,041

FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAILER CONNECTION Filed Sept. 11, 19:3 2' Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Sept. 11, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 &

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Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT f fw l 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a fifth wheelconstruction primarily adapted asa connection between a truck and trailer or semi-trailer.

It is primarily aimed to provide a novel construction capable ofmanufacture completely of metal, preferably steel, which is fullyenclosed and protected against road and weather hazards, and which has atilting movement.

It is particularly aimed to provide a construction wherein the king boltis relieved of the pull and the same carried by an integral part of oneof the fifth wheel sections.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the description following taken in connection withaccompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings:-

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating the fifth wheelconstruction connecting a trailer or semi-trailer to a truck;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4 l of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the upper fifth wheel section detached, and

Figure 6 is a plan view of the lower section of the fifth wheelconstruction.

Referring specifically to the drawings, I0 designates a conventionaltruck, the rear portion only being shown. The main or parallel chassisbeams of such truck are shown at H.

As a part of my invention, a suitable base I2, comprising bolsters I2,is attached to the beams I I, preferably removably, by means of U-boltsI3, which surround the beams II. Such base I2 is preferably metallic,being of any desired shape and size, with its lower surface fiat, round,or of any preferred shape, according to the contour of the beams II orother surface to which the same is adapted to be attached. Base l2 atthe top has two parallel transversely extending raised portions I4interfitted snugly into the channels of channel beam sections I5, weldedor otherwise rigidly secured thereto. Surmounting the beam sections I5is a lower fifth wheel section I6 preferably riveted as at IT to thechannel sections I5.

Turnable on and relatively to the section I6 is an upper fifth wheelsection I8. Section I6 has a tubular hub I9 depending therefrom and thesection I8 has a depending tubular hub 20 snugly fitting the hub I9 andjournaled therein.

A king bolt 2| is passed through the hub 20 and below the hubs I9 and20, passes through a washer 2| beneath which is a securing nut 22threaded on the bolt 2 I. Section I8 has a depend- 5 ing annular ormarginal flange at 23 engaging the periphery of the section I6.

On the upper surface of the fifth wheel section I8 are reinforcing ribs24.

Preferably integral with the upper fifth wheel 10 section I8 are pairsof ears or lugs 25 having openings 26 therethrough removablyaccommodating pivot bolts 21. Said bolts 21 pass through openings inbearing portions 28 of brackets 29, which are preferably of L-shape asshown and 15 adapted to be connected to forward portions of parallel orequivalent side beams 30 of the chassis of a trailer, or semi-trailer,that is, a trailer having only two wheels, or four wheels or even more.The beams 30 of course are conventional portions of the chassis or sucha trailer or semitrailer.

Specifically, the brackets 29 are preferably riveted at 3! to saidchassis beams 30. The bearing portions 28 also preferably have bronzebushings 25 32 therein directly engaged by the bolts 21.

As a result of the construction described, the load of the trailer pullson the hub 20, thus an integral part of the upper fifth wheel sectionand the pull on the lower section it is against the base, 30particularly the raised portions I4 thereof. The bolt 2I is usedprimarily for safety purposes in preventing danger of accidentaldetachment of the fifth wheel section. It will be realized that thefifth wheel has a movement on a transverse horizontal axis, afforded bythe bolts 21.

Also the fifth wheel structure is enclosed whereby it is protectedagainst the road and weather hazards.

Attention is called to the fact that all parts con- 40 stituting myinvention are capable of manufacture from metal, preferably steel.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spiritand scope of the in- 4 vention. 5

I claim as my invention:--

1. A fifth wheel construction comprising bolsters having spaced raisedportions, inverted channel beams fitting said raised portions anddisposed in spaced relation, a fifth wheel section 50 connected to theupper surfaces of the beams, 21. second fifth wheel section, said secondfifth wheel section being uppermost and having a hub journaled in thefirst fifth wheel section between said r beams and extending below theupper surfaces of said beams, said hub being integral with the secondfifth wheel section, and a depending marginal flange integral with thesecond fifth wheel section peripherally surrounding the first fifthwheel section, means passing through the hub securing the sectionstogether, upstanding ears integral with the second fifth wheel section,and attaching brackets to which said ears are pivoted on an axisintersecting the pivotal axis of the fifth wheel section.

2. A fifth wheel construction of the class de scribed comprisingbolsters in parallel spaced relation, said bolsters having raisedportions in spaced relation, inverted channel members in spaced relationfitting over said raised portions, and a fifth wheel section supportedon the channel members intermediate said bolsters.

3. A fifth wheel construction according to claim 1 wherein each bolsterhas reduced portions extending outwardly beyond the fifth wheel sectionsso that the same may be embraced by U-bolts to secure them to asupporting beam.

CLAUDE E. DORSEY, JR.

